Natural weather conditions for cleanroom laboratory applications
BINDER CO2-incubators with natural simulation for clinical applications in cellular therapy
“Prof. Bernard Klein and his colleagues”
From left to right: M. Guilhem Couderc (tissue bank, Biologist); M. Daniel Robin (tissue bank, Technician); Professor Bernard Klein; M. Philippe Barrot (Biomedical); M. Jean-Luc Veyrune
Application: Dendritic cells production with autonomous recording of measuring data
Cell therapy opens up a wide range of new opportunities, particularly in the field of tumor therapy. In the case of cancer, patient’s immune cells no longer function properly. They cannot counteract the proliferation and diffusion of cancer cells. The use of cells, artificially reproduced outside of the body, that are able to activate the immune system against tumor cells represents a significant advancement. These cells are produced in vitro by differentiation of monocytes found in the blood. These monocytes are easily harvested by means of apheresis.
The cell therapy unit at the Montpellier University Clinic, headed by Professor Bernard Klein, is engaged in the controlled cultivation of these cells under cleanroom conditions. There, monocytes are triggered to differentiate into dendritic cells within a period of 6 days. Professor Klein and his team can thus induce maturation of dendritic cells into cancer antigen presenting cells. The objective is to produce a vaccinal preparation in order to induce immune responses in general and particularly a cytotoxic T cell response able to destroy cancer cells.
This process requires extremely sensitive and precise measuring systems in order to create optimum growth conditions. Absolute sterility is also an important factor in this cultivation process, which means that the CO2-incubators used must meet correspondingly high standards. They must also be capable of validation down to the smallest detail in order to comply with legal requirements.
“Unmistakable, even at a glance:
BINDER incubators with the typical red triangle”
The solution: CO2-incubators from BINDER
BINDER’s CB series ensures a natural growth environment with reliable, reproducible results. Professor Klein and his team use 13 units from this series, which were customized to meet the institute’s requirements. Advantages:
The essence of cell and tissue culture is a multistage sterility concept
This is an absolute must in the life sciences field. BINDER therefore developed a multistage sterilization concept that will safely eliminate any possibility of cross-contamination between individual patients. The most important element of this concept is sterilization with hot air at 180 ºC, which meets statutory specifications. One component, the Permadry™ system, is a double-walled chamber with a defined dew point, which prevents condensation from forming on the inner wall. In addition, BINDER CO2-incubators also achieve extremely high temperature accuracy even without using fans for air recirculation. The result is an interior chamber that is easily cleaned, since it is produced using deep-draw technology and thus has no joints where impurities could collect.
Selective, independent infrared measurement system
CO2 is important for the developmental process of stem cells, because it ensures that pH be kept stable within the neutral range. The addition rate therefore requires careful control. The CB series measurement system is based not on thermal conductivity but rather on the absorption of infrared radiation at a specific wavelength. During the extended cultivation period, this system is not affected by variations in humidity or temperature that typically occur when the door of a CO2-incubator is opened. Shifts of pH values into the acidic or alkali range produce changes in cell physiology and morphology. The result is diminished confluence or even death of the entire cell culture in extreme cases.
“One of the independent sensors that was specially developed to meet the institute’s requirements”
Reliably constant temperatures
Temperature is a decisive factor for growth. Optimal cell growth can only be achieved within a very narrow tolerance range. BINDER’s electronically controlled APT.line™ VENTAIR jacket system and intelligent temperature control ensure constant heat conditions. Even when the door is opened, both temperature and humidity return to their original levels within a few minutes.
BINDER Individual: customized solution
Every laboratory has its own special requirements. For these cases, we offer the BINDER Individual service. In collaboration with the Institute of the University Clinic in Montpellier, we developed special options to meet these individual requirements. Here, in addition to the standard sensors, special external sensors can measure temperature, humidity and CO2 parameters. Because these sensors differ from standard sensors in that they are not connected to the controllers, they constitute an additional measuring and safety system. The captured data are integrated into the laboratory software through a wireless interface.
Expert service for all validation-related issues
As one of a very small number of manufacturers, BINDER provides service for all stages of the validation process, for the equipment itself as well as the APT-COM™ DataControlSystem communication software. Extensive documentation and appropriate checklists are created for each customer, taking into account the required individual test parameters – all using state-of-the-art technology, of course. In this sensitive area, it doesn’t make sense to expect anything less.
The final word
BINDER CO2-incubators are in use at Montpellier since 2002, and have proven to be a valuable asset not only for science and research, but also in everyday clinical applications. Professor Klein appreciates this fact, noting that “autologous therapy is associated with a great degree of responsibility. This means I have to be able to rely 100 percent not only on the people working with me, but also on the medical applications; BINDER makes this possible.”
